U.S. Route 20 in Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 20 is a east-west U.S. Highway in Pennsylvania, which clips the northeastern corner of the state, running entirely in Erie County
. While it is part of the nation's longest road, it features the shortest segment of any two-digit U.S. route in the commonwealth. Although bypassed by Interstate 90
as the primary through route in the area, heavy traffic has led to nearly the entire highway being upgraded to four lanes in width.
passenger trains. The highway enters the state under the moniker of West Ridge Road eastward from the Ohio border, as it jounreys through Springfield Township
, Girard Township
, Fairview Township
and Millcreek Township
. This section of road was widened to encompass a mostly four-lane set-up after a pair of 1938 and 1946 infrastructural projects, owing to the heavy truck traffic between Erie and Cleveland, Ohio
. A 1952 upgrade saw the remainder of the Millcreek Township section of the route improved to four lanes.
At the intersection with Pennsylvania Route 832
, just outside of the Erie
city limits, U.S. 20 becomes West 26th Street. The highway then passes through an industrial and commercial corridor that represents a 1946 alignment change, which saw 26th Street extended to avoid the route's former complicated passage along East Avenue. Soon after a major interchange with Greengarden Boulevard, the highway becomes two lanes, as it passes through Erie's old residential neighborhoods. After a junction with U.S. Route 19
just south of the city center, it becomes East 26th Street.
U.S. 20 turns sharply northward as Broad Street at the Bayfront Connector
, as it resumes four lane status temporarily. It then turns east again as Buffalo Road through Wesleyville
and Harborcreek Township. This portion of road was upgraded to four lanes during a 1958 overhaul. In North East Township, U.S. 20 becomes West Main Road. Within the town limits of North East it becomes West Main Street until it reaches the town center at its intersection with Pennsylvania Route 89, where it becomes East Main Street. Outside the town limits it becomes East Main Road until it reaches Pennsylvania's border with New York
. The portion of road around North East was upgraded to four lanes in 1971.
Erie County, Pennsylvania
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :...
. While it is part of the nation's longest road, it features the shortest segment of any two-digit U.S. route in the commonwealth. Although bypassed by Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
as the primary through route in the area, heavy traffic has led to nearly the entire highway being upgraded to four lanes in width.
Route description
U.S. 20 travels for 45 miles through Pennsylvania's Great Lakes region. For most of its journey, it closely parallels a heavily travelled CSX rail line, which also serves AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
passenger trains. The highway enters the state under the moniker of West Ridge Road eastward from the Ohio border, as it jounreys through Springfield Township
Springfield Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Springfield Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,378 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 37.8 square miles , of which, 37.7 square miles of it is land and...
, Girard Township
Girard Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Girard Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,133 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
, Fairview Township
Fairview Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Fairview Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,140 at the 2000 census.-History:Fairview Township was settled in 1797. Fairview is one of the original 16 townships in Erie County...
and Millcreek Township
Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Millcreek Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 53,515 at the 2010 census. It is the largest suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania and the sixth-largest municipality in the state; larger than the cities of Altoona and Harrisburg.Millcreek Township is home to...
. This section of road was widened to encompass a mostly four-lane set-up after a pair of 1938 and 1946 infrastructural projects, owing to the heavy truck traffic between Erie and Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. A 1952 upgrade saw the remainder of the Millcreek Township section of the route improved to four lanes.
At the intersection with Pennsylvania Route 832
Pennsylvania Route 832
Pennsylvania Route 832 , known locally as Sterrettania Road and Peninsula Drive, is a state highway located in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Its northern terminus is at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park in Erie. The southern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 98, two miles west of Sterrettania...
, just outside of the Erie
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
city limits, U.S. 20 becomes West 26th Street. The highway then passes through an industrial and commercial corridor that represents a 1946 alignment change, which saw 26th Street extended to avoid the route's former complicated passage along East Avenue. Soon after a major interchange with Greengarden Boulevard, the highway becomes two lanes, as it passes through Erie's old residential neighborhoods. After a junction with U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
just south of the city center, it becomes East 26th Street.
U.S. 20 turns sharply northward as Broad Street at the Bayfront Connector
Bayfront Connector
The Bayfront Connector is a , four-lane expressway that connects Interstate 90 to downtown Erie, Pennsylvania.- Route description :At the intersection of East 12th Street, the Bayfront Parkway becomes the Bayfront Connector and picks up the concurrency with Pennsylvania Route 290...
, as it resumes four lane status temporarily. It then turns east again as Buffalo Road through Wesleyville
Wesleyville, Pennsylvania
Wesleyville is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,617 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wesleyville is located at ....
and Harborcreek Township. This portion of road was upgraded to four lanes during a 1958 overhaul. In North East Township, U.S. 20 becomes West Main Road. Within the town limits of North East it becomes West Main Street until it reaches the town center at its intersection with Pennsylvania Route 89, where it becomes East Main Street. Outside the town limits it becomes East Main Road until it reaches Pennsylvania's border with New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The portion of road around North East was upgraded to four lanes in 1971.